Potential Use of Interleukin-10 Blockade as a Therapeutic Strategy in Human Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Lucio Roberto Castellano1, Laurent Argiro2, Helia Dessein2

  • 1Laboratory of Immunology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, 38025-180 Uberaba, MG, Brazil ; Human Immunology Research and Education Group-GEPIH, Technical Health School, Federal University of Paraíba, 58051-900 João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.

Interleukin-10 overproduction has been associated with worse prognosis in human cutaneous leishmaniasis, while IFN-γ-dependent responses are associated with parasite killing and host protection. Innovative strategies are needed to overcome therapeutic failure observed in endemic areas. The use of monoclonal antibody-based immunotherapy targeting IL-10 cytokine was evaluated here. Partial IL-10 blockade in Leishmania braziliensis whole soluble antigen-stimulated cells from endemic area CL patients with active or healed lesions and asymptomatic controls was evaluated. Overall decrease in IL-10, IL-4, and TNF-α production was observed in all groups of subjects. Only patients with active lesions still produced some levels of TNF-α after anti-IL-10 stimulation in association with Leishmania antigens. Moreover, this strategy showed limited modulatory effects on IFN-γ-dependent chemokine CXCL10 production. Results suggest the potential immunotherapeutic use of partial IL-10 blockade in localized cutaneous leishmaniasis.